Petrol Bio-ethanol Content

[crazy_e]

£1500 for the first outlay and it aparently adds like 500-700 to the value of the car

[Khare]

£1500 for the first outlay and it aparently adds like 500-700 to the value of the car

Hmmm, not sure about that. I wouldn't say I'd buy a £1600 "ok" mk3 with LPG 

There's maintenance costs too though.

[crazy_e]

well to tell you the truth at my garage we fit and maintain lpg systems (dont worry im not going to try and sell it im only an aprentace here) and it is not too bad to be honest cheeper than a normaly service

[Stirring Moose]

Just got the following on the subject of ethanol in fuel from a Technical Specialist at the AA:

"We are also very concerned about the effects of ethanol.  We have
already received many reports of failure of rubber fuel hoses as a
result of using ordinary petrol with only around three per cent ethanol
content.

Last year we assisted a fuel scientist who was preparing a report on the
effects of ethanol, particularly if the UK does adopt the higher blends.
This was a follow-up to the Fuel Quality Consultation.  The report
should be published shortly and as soon as it is available I'll send a
copy or a link to the website.

In terms of your own Mini, Burlen Fuel Systems in Wiltshire are aware of
the ethanol issue and have ethanol resistant parts in stock.  The
situation with the Golf is less clear, but I am trying to establish
whether you are likely to experience any problems and will let you know
when I send the report."

S.M.

[danny_p]

the use of ethanol in petrol is not funny. 

ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol and also require less air to burn a given amount of it.   iirc the afr's for alcohol are around the 6:1 mark
calorific value is about half that of petrol per ltr.   the sh!tweasels in chagrge however won't alter the duity but we will getting less energy from each ltr of fuel we buy.

my guestimation is it'll be about the same as banging the duity up 5%.    as for effects on fuel system i'm not worryed i've pissed about with ethanol and methanol a bit, high concentarions of methanol give problems but ethanol is fine never caused any bother even useing std vw bits

[Agreeable Slick]

Just got the following on the subject of ethanol in fuel from a Technical Specialist at the AA:

"We are also very concerned about the effects of ethanol.  We have
already received many reports of failure of rubber fuel hoses as a
result of using ordinary petrol with only around three per cent ethanol
content.

Last year we assisted a fuel scientist who was preparing a report on the
effects of ethanol, particularly if the UK does adopt the higher blends.
This was a follow-up to the Fuel Quality Consultation.  The report
should be published shortly and as soon as it is available I'll send a
copy or a link to the website.

In terms of your own Mini, Burlen Fuel Systems in Wiltshire are aware of
the ethanol issue and have ethanol resistant parts in stock.  The
situation with the Golf is less clear, but I am trying to establish
whether you are likely to experience any problems and will let you know
when I send the report."

S.M.

Did the guy/gal define what cars or fuel systems they had seen this take place on?

[robz]

some interesting stuff that! thanks for the heads up!!
as danny says though, i bet the price stays the same

[Stirring Moose]

@ danny_p: Think you might well be right there chap. Hadn't even thought of that. I know that engines which burn 100% alcohol fuels use a lot more than than an equivilent petrol motor so the ethanol/petrol mix would logically knock a bit off the mpg compared to pure petrol.

@ Agreeable Slick: No, no info as to what cars have already suffered. As the message says, the specific situation regarding the Mk.3 should become clearer once this report is out.

S.M.

[Agreeable Slick]

I would try if you can to get them to disclose this, as I wouldn't be suprised if the cars they have had concerns over a lot older than we think.

until then, I still maintain that there shouldn't be much of an issue.